MLB fires umpire for sharing sports gambling account with poker player who bet on baseball

Major League Baseball on Monday announced that it stands by the decision to fire umpire Pat Hoberg following an investigation into his involvement with a sports betting account.

The league fired Hoberg in May 2024 after it found the umpire was sharing a legal sports gambling account with his friend, who is a professional poker player. The friend wasn't identified by name, but the account was used to bet on baseball, which violates MLB policy, according to the league's statement.

Hoberg appealed the termination and called on a third-party investigation.